Following the Open Championship, the LIV circuit stages its annual UK event, previously won by Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith and Charl Schwartzel.
LIV returns to the United States this week with Bolingbrook Golf Club hosting LIV Chicago for the second straight year with Jon Rahm looking to defend his crown. With just two regular season events remaining, the fight is on for not only LIV glory but to avoid the drop zone.
Key Stats/Skill Set Required
- Bogey Avoidance
- Strokes Gained: Short Approaches
- Proximity Under 150 Yards
- GIR
- Driving Accuracy
Bolingbrook is a reasonably difficult Par 71 with Jon Rahm winning at 11-under last year with second place back on 8-under. Avoiding trouble is absolute key here so finding fairways and hitting greens is the best path to success.
Key Correlation Courses
- Cog Hill Golf & Country Club
It is just foolish to tip anyone else on top and it is stunning that he is not favourite. Joaquin Niemann is clearly the best player on LIV. He has won five of the 11 LIV events this year compared to one from DeChambeau and none from Rahm. He ranks 2nd in GIR, 3rd in Bogey Avoidance and 3rd in Proximity: Under 150 Yards.
Patrick Reed has enjoyed his best season since moving to LIV. He won in Dallas and has had two Top 10s since on LIV. Throw in a third at Augusta in April and the quality of Reed’s golf is undeniable. He ranks 2nd in Strokes Gained: Short Approaches and 5th in Bogey Avoidance.
Sebastian Munoz is nothing if not consistent. He has finished Top 21 in his last nine – but has not finished higher than T-5. He leads the tour in strokes gained and proximity from under 150 yards while he ranks 5th in Driving Accuracy and 10th in GIR. Should be around the mark again.
Not every course suits the short-but-straight Abraham Ancer but Bolingbrook is a course that fits in his skillset. Ancer ranks 2nd in Driving Accuracy and 4th in Proximity: Under 150 Yards. Finished 3rd in Andalucia so playing well enough.
South African major winner Louis Oosthuizen has mixed his form this year but did finish 2nd in Dallas and can perform well here. He ranks 2nd in Proximity: Under 150 Yards and 6th in Driving Accuracy. Looks a hope at big odds.
Very happy to get $5.60 about the two top raters in Chicago. Joaquin Niemann has won half the events this year and Patrick Reed is playing as well as anyone.